Start with where the water goes
Before choosing a paver color, we map how water reaches and leaves the driveway: roof downspouts, slopes above the drive, the street, and any drainage channel nearby. The goal is simple: water moves away from the house and garage and leaves the property in a controlled way.
The tools we use
Most Montecito driveways combine several of these.
- Finished grades that slope the surface away from the house
- Channel drains at garage aprons and gates
- Catch basins where water collects at low points
- Downspouts redirected off the paving
- Permeable paver sections that let water soak in rather than sheet down the drive
Long estate driveways and motor courts
Long gated approaches collect a lot of water. We often break them into sections: permeable paver bands along the length to slow runoff, and a channel drain before the motor court so water doesn't reach the house.
County review
Montecito is unincorporated Santa Barbara County. Grading, drainage changes, and walls can route through County review, and some private roads have their own expectations. We prepare plans, product sheets, and renderings for the review that applies.
What it costs
Installed paver driveways in Montecito run about $15–$35 per square foot. Drainage work such as channel drains and catch basins is part of the proposal, so you see the complete number before you sign.
Related pages
See paver installation in Montecito, the permeable pavers in Santa Barbara guide, and paver drainage planning.
Frequently asked
Straight answers, no sales pitch.
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